Constructing energy-efficient buildings has become a broad trend in the past decade, with state and federal governments creating new standards and offering strong incentives for the private sector to update its materials and methods. Within the U.S. Department of Energy, new programs and regulations are created on a frequent basis with the goal of reducing energy costs and environmental impact at the same time.

Efforts like the Building Technologies Office utilize a public-private approach to implement new tools and solutions within the commercial sector. Over the long run, the BTO is aiming to reduce energy-consumption costs by 50 percent, according to Energy.gov. In the next five years alone, under the Better Buildings Challenge, the DOE is working to reduce energy use by 20 percent.

But it's not just corporate or government officials seeking to make these changes. Rather, consumers and business owners alike are cognizant of the real-time effects and implications of energy efficiency. That's why the efficient building services market is expected to reach $623 billion in the next eight years, according to a report from Navigant Research.

Without total collaboration and uniformity on the part of every actor concerned, widespread growth on this scale wouldn't be attainable. By having a greater number of buildings that are energy efficient, consumers stand to benefit from cleaner, better made products as well as improved air quality in their communities. Not only can green materials make buildings cleaner on the inside, but they also can reduce carbon footprints and eliminate excessive contaminants in the surrounding area, thus making pollution control a primary focus.

Growth in the future
Business owners, building managers, engineers and technicians all stand to reap the rewards of lower operating costs, which can lead to widespread savings for the company as a whole. This additional revenue can be put toward a variety of other interests, including improving product offerings and reinvestment back into the company.

The energy-efficient market has significant room to grow due to continued research and technological advancement in the fields of renewable energy and manufacturing. As green materials become cheaper, businesses are better able to handle the upfront costs of implementation, which, in turn, can lead to higher revenues and energy savings in the future.

"Services that would have seemed costly or unnecessary to building owners five to 10 years ago – such as corporate sustainability initiatives focused on energy efficiency – are becoming increasingly mainstream," said Noah Goldstein, research director at Navigant Research. "Energy efficiency can help governments to reduce the carbon intensity of local and national economies and corporations to reduce costs as well as their carbon footprints."

The Navigant report noted huge advances in building automation systems that can detect inefficiencies quickly. Relying on analytics, these systems can collect and transfer data related to energy use and identify where problems are occurring within a building. This allows technicians to select which measures of repair are most appropriate and identify how to correct issues much faster than before. Controls such as these improve response times and cut down on expenses and labor costs to fix failing electrical or HVAC systems.

HVAC efficiency
Much of the new expansion in energy-efficient products will come in the field of HVAC equipment because every building in the U.S. relies substantially on these units to monitor and produce proper air flow and air quality.

The Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) indicated total shipments of HVAC equipment increased 19.3 percent in October compared to the same month in 2013. More than 433,000 total units were sold in the month, showing just how much companies are moving to replace old HVAC equipment.

But making necessary repairs and replacing old HVAC units with new ones is only a part of the energy efficiency process. Owners are looking to make their buildings living, breathing parts of their businesses that can respond to automated commands and interact with engineers to promote their own health and sustainability.

One of the largest issues that must be confronted when it concerns energy efficiency goals is that of poor HVAC performance. If HVACs are not removing contaminants from the indoor atmosphere, then the quality of air suffers. This can impact workers and products inside of buildings. Additionally, without keeping the temperature at optimal levels, energy consumption can increase.

To remedy HVAC failures, many companies turn to replacement coils. HVAC coils have the habit of becoming corroded over time and experienced technicians will realize how vital these coils are to overall HVAC performance. Damaged coils will only worsen without intervention.

It's best to select coils that are also coated as a preventative measure that can deter future problems and keep your HVAC system running smoothly for longer. Coated coils can resist corrosion and disallow water collection because of their hydrophobic qualities. When excess water is removed, the conditions for bacteria and corrosion to set in are eliminated.

With these new coils, HVAC units operate at a much higher efficiency with tangible benefits. Energy costs are lowered, air quality improves and total business revenues can increase. When companies stand to profit considerably from these changes, they are more likely to continue to promote energy efficiency in the future, which can impact entire economies of nations around the world. And with competition a large factor in a business's success, the marketplace will become more efficient as a whole because those who take advantage of green materials can carve out a new niche for the services while also staying under budget.

Rahn Industries is a top provider of HVAC products and services. From custom coils to top-of-the-line coil coatings, Rahn has your company covered. More than 30 years of manufacturing, design and engineering experience have allowed Rahn to become a premier resource for those looking to make energy efficiency a top priority in their businesses. Relying on the most advanced materials and techniques, Rahn can turn an outdated HVAC system into a brand new machine.

Rahn has a full lineup of spray and immersion (dip)/ Bake protective coatings to meet your needs.